Death by a thousand cuts

The cuts brought about as a result of the actions of greedy bankers will cause hardship in many areas of our communities. Maybe those who are better off will not notice these cuts much, but there are many less well off who will find these cuts really hurt. The problem is that this Tory Government and so this Tory Council are cutting harder and faster than is needed. The cuts will hit areas that will have a higher cost long term


- trebling tuition fee limit which will make access to many universities restricted to young people with rich parents. This could have been prevented by Liberal MPs who broke their election promise. There is also the loss of the education maintenance allowance paid to 16 year olds help support them staying on at school .

- Those potholes in our roads I suspect will get bigger and cause more damage to both vehicles and pedestrians.

- Libraries will have both their opening hours cut and some will be axed altogether. Libraries used well can be vital to the progress of our children.

- Cuts to the music service based at the Forest will reduce access to music lessons and support over the whole of the schools in Walsall Borough.

- Our volunteers such as in the scouts have their support cut… the council currently give £12K towards their volunteer training costs and venue hire.

- Support for the most vulnerable in our society, those with disability, the elderly, the mentally handicapped both young and old will see their support cut to the absolute legal minimum, loading carers to breaking point. Those who depend on the services of Social services will be very worried about their future level of support.

- Cuts to the police force will mean a reduction in Officers available to deal with crime and criminal activity. I am sure the criminals will be waiting to take advantage.

- VAT will rise to 20% in 2011 which will mean most items will rise in cost … not much of a dent in the finances of the well off but will make a real impact for most of us.

The future of our leisure centres , their opening hours and charges are also under the spotlight. This Tory Council would like to off load these to the private sector. Certainly I will expect that most of the swimming pools attached to schools will be closed ( there are around 46 pools which may well be cut to 5 or 6)

Read my lips. No increase in tuition fees. A promise!

Abbey Square Surgery saved

Wonderful news that the surgery at Abbey Sqaure has been saved ( for the moment) from the axe. The patient list will be offered for for open tender and commissioning . For those who thought that this closure was a done deal, they will have to eat their words.!! Thanks to officers at the PCT who did consult carefully and those residents who kept up the pressure and did not give up, the reward is retention of a local GP service. Let us hope the commissioning and the continued support for such a local surgery is successful

FRED WINS BY 342 VOTES

Congratulations to Fred for winning Bloxwich West. . The tories ( and the liberals) have been soundly beaten.
Fred 1142 votes. Tory 800. UKIP 91 Lib Dem 71 Green 28.

Fred will make an excellent Councillor as he proved when he did hold that place some time ago.
well done Fred!

Fred Westley selected as Labour candidate Bloxwich West

Fred Westley has been selected as the Labour candidate for the by election to be held on Thursday 15th July. His mobile is 07770273057.

New Members flock to join the Labour Party

We learn that 15,000 joined Labour online, extra 3,000 joined off line. That's 18,000 new members in last 14 days - Remarkable.




Thus sends us a message from the people that we hold the respect of an increasing number of the electorate. Let us build on this support .



From



Ian Robertson



secretary walsall South and agent for Valerie Vaz MP

Fred loses the fight

Thanks for all who voted for me but I have again just failed to get enough votes. Please leave any message for me below and I shall continue to try and help you where I can

Best wishes

Fred